A San Jose-centric version of “The Nutcracker” would seem like a natural point of collaboration for the city’s symphony orchestra and ballet company. But when “The San Jose Nutcracker” opens at the California Theatre this weekend, it’ll mark the first time Symphony San Jose has partnered with New Ballet on the production.
Symphony San Jose Executive Artistic Director Robert Massey has wanted to partner on the show since he stepped into his role in 2022. He saw the production at the California Theatre and knew it was something the symphony’s musicians would love to be part of, too.
Of course, some of them were probably around the last time the orchestra — then known as Symphony Silicon Valley — performed Tchaikovsky’s famous score in 2013 for Ballet San Jose’s production.
Following Ballet San Jose’s closing, New Ballet founder and artistic director Dalia Rawson’s version made its debut in 2016 and immediately set itself apart from any production before it. The story was moved to Victorian San Jose and the set and costume design reflected the Santa Clara Valley, with dancing walnuts and garlic bulbs and the Mother Ginger character replaced by Casa de Fruta. Even the historic Electric Light Tower has a significant part to play.
As has been tradition for the show, “My Very First Nutcracker” — a one-hour version aimed at the youngest audiences — will have 11 a.m. performances on consecutive Sundays, Dec. 15 and Dec. 22. Tickets for those and the six regular performances are available at symphonysanjose.org.
MEAN, GREEN CONDUCTOR: It’s traditional around these parts to playfully boo Santa Clara County Assessor Larry Stone since he’s the guy who decides the tax assessment on everything from your neighbor’s house to Levi’s Stadium. So it must have been a bit of a surprise for him to get loud cheers Saturday night at the California Theatre — and he was dressed as the Grinch to boot!
The cause for celebration? Stone was the guest conductor for the performance of “Sleigh Ride” during Symphony San Jose’s “Holiday Spectacular” program that night. He did the whole thing dressed as the Grinch — and had spent the hour before the show greeting visitors in the lobby, along with Brian Adams, vice president of advancement at Bellarmine College Prep, who was playing Santa Claus.
ELEGANT SERENADE: Ebe Frasse received a delightful gift for her 90th birthday Friday night at Valle Monte League’s Christmas Tree Elegance event at the Santa Clara Convention Center.
Krazy George Henderson — a longtime friend of Frasse’s — led the well-dressed crowd at the Mission City Ballroom in a festive rendition of “Happy Birthday.” While Henderson had his signature drum on hand to spur the crowd into action, I’ve got to say he looked very different in a dashing blue suit and yellow tie instead of his usual jersey.
The timing was pretty special for Frasse, whose mother, Mary Cribari Frasse, was a longtime member of Valle Monte League, which puts on the annual event to raise money for three mental health agencies: the Centre for Living with Dying, Family & Children Services and the Hearts & Minds Activity Center.
SANTA ON THE RUN: Silicon Valley Santa spotters were kept busy last weekend. The jolly old elf was at the Los Gatos Holiday Parade, arrived by helicopter at the Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos and stopped by for Breakfast with Santa at the Berryessa Community Center in San Jose.
Of course, he also made his regular appearance Saturday at the 41st annual Santa Visits Alviso event, where families were treated to food, gifts and scholarships at George Mayne School. Emcee Richard Santos says it drew a sleighful of other VIPs including San Jose Vice Mayor Rosemary Kamei, San Jose City Manager Jennifer Maguire, Police Chief Paul Joseph, Santa Clara County Supervisor Betty Duong, Valley Water Director Tony Estremera and Santa Visits Alviso founder Judy Santiago, who was celebrating her birthday.
It may be tough to pick out the real Santa this coming Sunday morning when the 13th annual Santa Run Silicon Valley takes place in downtown San Jose. There’ll be plenty of runners in Santa suits, and the rest will be wearing green “gingerbread man” shirts with a “You Can’t Catch Me” slogan. There’s still time to register for the 5K run/walk and kids’ “Reindeer Dash” at santarunsv.com.
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Source: www.mercurynews.com